Las Vegas's Best New Attractions

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It’s always been a mystery: what lies behind the walls of Wayne
Newton’s Vegas estate? Penguins and Elvis memorabilia, as it
turns out. And come next spring, when Newton’s Casa de Shenandoah
opens as a museum, you’ll be able to see this collection for
yourself.

And this glimpse into the life of “Mr. Las Vegas” is just the
beginning. In fact, the city is having something of a
renaissance, opening up new restaurants, clubs, museums, and
other venues at a fantastic rate and returning Sin City to the
ever-changing kaleidoscope it once was.

That time of change was less than 10 years ago, when Las Vegas
was in the middle of a no-holds-barred building boom. The
historic downtown was about to undergo huge changes. A burgeoning
arts district was gaining cachet. Mega condo-hotels were coming.
George Clooney was going to ignite the Strip with a giant
mixed-use property.

But things happen, and Vegas seemed to be put on a giant “hold”
for several years. The only major plan that was actually
completed was the awe-inspiring multihotel, retail, and
restaurant complex, CityCenter. This was no small achievement, of
course: it included the Mandarin Oriental and Aria hotels, as
well as Crystals shopping center. CityCenter was so popular it
completely vacuumed people off the Strip and deposited them
firmly in its fun and artsy atmosphere.

Now the excitement of CityCenter has spilled over into the entire
city: new restaurants, museums, and clubs have either recently
opened or are on target for 2012. Some of them you’ll find
downtown, which the city is focused on really
revitalizing this time. At its heart will be the most anticipated
cultural venue in recent Las Vegas history: the $450 million
Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which was built for
symphonies, not Celine.

Even the Las Vegas steak restaurant has received a refresh. The
new 35 Steaks + Martinis, in the Hard Rock Hotel, marries a
35-day aged, 35-ounce prime steak with “Wines that Rock,”
including labels by Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin.

So even if you visited Vegas recently, don’t assume it’s still
the same. And don’t head to Sin City without checking out our
list of the newest and best things to do.